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Champion thoroughbred Cue Card could take home the majority of a £1million prize pot if he wins the Gold Cup today, completing the historic Triple Crown.

The epitome of an underdog, he came from a south Wales farm, which had never bred a champion, to overcome a throat problem and breathing difficulties that left him barely fit to run.

And sadly, his owner, Jean Bishop, was recently widowed when the immensely popular Bob Bishop passed away three months ago on her birthday after 62 years of marriage.

Mrs Bishop will be handed a cheque for £650,000 if her horse can complete a famous hat-trick.

This prize fund is offered by the Jockey Club to any horse that can win the Betfair Chase, King George and Gold Cup – Cue Card has already claimed the first two.

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The King George victory came just three days before 83-year-old Bob Bishop passed away, and victory today would see trainer Colin Tizzard pick up £150,000 while £100,000 would go to the jockey, Paddy Brennan.

‘Without Bob Bishop, I wouldn’t be riding anything for the Tizzards this year,’ Brennan said this week. ‘I’ll be forever grateful to him.’

Jean and the late Bob Bishop alongside Cue Card. (Picture: John Grossick)

Trainer Tizzard says this year has been a season that ‘has been the making’ of Cue Card, telling the Telegraph that ‘last year, about three weeks before Cheltenham he could not get up the gallop’ because of the injuries suffered to his throat. .

Tizzard said: ‘The bonus is great for everyone involved but money comes and goes – winning the Gold Cup puts you in the history books.’

Cue Card is currently the third fancied to win the race at 4/1 behind the bookies favourite Don Cossack and Djakadam.